3200-1600
BCE: India - The INDUS VALLEY
civilization grows up along the banks of the Indus River in what is now
Pakistan. The two most important sites uncovered so far by archeologists
are Harappa and
Mohenjo-Dara; both cities show considerable development including
multi-level houses and city-wide plumbing. The Indus Valley civilization
appears to have collapsed because natural disaster altered the course of
the Indus River.

800-500
BCE: India - The Upanishads are written around this time; the
doctrines of rebirth and the transmigration of souls start to appear,
leading to important theological transformations within Hinduism.

327-326
BCE: India - Alexander the Great passes through the INDUS
VALLEY installing Greek officials in the area.

323 BCE: India - Alexander the Great
dies, providing the opportunity for an independent state in India.
Chandragupta Maurya founds the Maurya dynasty, the first Indian empire.
Its capital is in Patna. By 184, this
dynasty will conquer most of India.

304 BCE: India - Chandragupta trades
500 war elephants to Seleucus in exchange for the Indus region and regions
immediately to the West.

273-232
BCE: India - Ashoka, grandson of Chandragupta Maurya and most
impressive ruler in the Maurya dynasty, rules in India and institutes a
series of edicts designed to bring about moral reform. His policy on
reform flows from his Buddhist orientation.